What is a Pocket Door?

In recent years, pocket doors have become more and more popular, particularly in domestic properties where they’re used as an innovative alternative to traditional doors. 

While they’re often considered a contemporary design choice, these types of doors have been around for many years and grew in prominence in Britain during the Victorian era. 

In this article, we’ll answer the question ‘what is a pocket door?’ while providing you with everything you need to know about them. 

Read on to find out more.

What is a pocket door?

A pocket door is a type of sliding door that slides into a compartment in the wall when it is fully opened. They are often chosen for their aesthetic benefits due to the fact they provide a smooth and stylish design to every property they’re installed in.

However, they also offer functional advantages as they are excellent space-savers. Instead of needing to swing out like conventional doors, the fact that pocket doors simply slide into a hidden compartment makes them incredibly useful – especially in properties where there may not be as much space to install normal hinged doors. 

Usually, pocket doors will move on overhead tracks or tracks on the floor that they slide across when in operation. Both single and double sized pocket doors are available with homeowners able to choose the most appropriate option for their property. 

As mentioned above, while pocket doors have recently become a popular choice in many 21st century homes, they have been around for many years. 

In fact, pocket doors were first introduced in the USA during the 1850s and became increasingly popular during the 1880s in many Victorian homes. 

They were traditionally used as doors between parlours and dining rooms, allowing people to separate rooms but also enhancing the openness of their space when necessary. 

These days, pocket rooms can be incorporated into almost any room, but are particularly common for bathrooms, utility rooms, closets and more.     

Benefits of pocket doors 

As already highlighted, pocket doors have great aesthetic and functional benefits. 

They offer several benefits compared to traditional swinging doors including:

• Space-saving – One of the biggest practical benefits of pocket doors is that, when opened, they seamlessly swing into a compartment within the wall saving them valuable floor space. This makes them ideal for smaller rooms or areas where swinging doors would be impractical or more difficult to install. 
• Aesthetic appeal – In most instances, pocket doors are chosen due to their aesthetic appeal. They can contribute to a more streamlined and modern aesthetic since they don’t protrude into the room when opened. This helps to create a cleaner look that allows for greater design flexibility. 
• Improved accessibility – Pocket doors are usually easier to manoeuvre for people who struggle with mobility issues as they don’t require much clearance when opening and closing. This is particularly beneficial in spaces where wheelchair accessibility is important.
• Enhanced functionality – In rooms with limited wall space for furniture placement, pocket doors can offer more flexibility in arranging the layout since they don’t interfere with furniture placement. 
• Sound insulation – You might be surprised to learn that pocket doors can even boost sound insulation. When closed, pocket doors can provide better sound insulation compared to traditional swinging doors since they fit snugly into a wall cavity. 
• Privacy – Pocket doors are often used in spaces where privacy is important. This includes bathrooms or bedrooms, as they can fully close off a room without taking up extra space to open it. 
• Versatility – Pocket doors are available in various designs, materials and styles, making them versatile enough to suit different interior design preferences and architectural types. 

Overall, pocket doors offer practical benefits that can enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of a space. 

Can any door be used as a pocket door?

Usually, pocket doors can be installed in almost any circumstance in most rooms of the house.    

However, it is essential that the door you are using has the correct dimensions. 

This includes:

• Height
• Width
• Thickness 

This means doors of almost any design can be made into pocket doors as long as the above dimensions have been properly met. 

In some instances, people may look to transform their existing doors into pocket doors. In these cases, you will need to make sure the door does not have any cut outs for hinges and handles. 

You will also need to review the thickness of your walls to check if pocket doors are suitable for your property. The wall thickness will greatly depend on the brand of pocket door you have elected to use. The product you are using will have its own specifications which you must check before attempting to install it. 

However, generally speaking, a pocket door will require a thickness of 125mm for a finished wall and an internal space of at least 70mm. This is because an average pocket door will have a thickness of between 35 mm and 44 mm. 

What room should I install a pocket door?

Pocket doors are a great choice for all rooms of the house, but there are a few places where they can typically be found. If you’re someone who wants to achieve a minimalist, modern design aesthetic in their home, then you may want to have pocket doors installed in:

• Bathrooms – Ensuite bathrooms are a great place to have pocket doors installed, and they can feature locking handles which are great at helping to maintain the necessary privacy of the room while also helping to save space. 
• Kitchens – If you want your home to have the illusion of an open-plan setting while still providing you with the option to separate the rooms, pocket doors in the kitchens are a great choice. It allows a beautiful flow between kitchens and dining areas, but it can also provide you with the option to close off the kitchen once the cooking has been completed. 
• Home offices – Pocket doors are a stylish and often useful addition to home offices. With more people working at home these days, pocket doors offer great working versatility and allow people to dictate their working conditions based on the types of tasks they’re performing.